At 16 years old, Nayeli Diaz was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Nayeli went from being a normal teenager who enjoyed activities with her friends to a teenager with metastatic cancer, embarrassed to step outside with a colostomy bag. After some difficult months of fighting off the metastatic cancer with treatment and trips in and out of the children’s hospital, an obstruction sent her to the emergency room and resulted in the removal of the largest and only tumor left in her body.
Upon removing the tumor, the surgeons realized that not only was it the only tumor, but it was dead. Nayeli, her family, and the doctors were all stunned knowing the largest tumor had died and the other tumors disappeared miraculously. Before the emergency surgery, she had only completed two rounds of immunotherapy, a slow working treatment, which doctors said could not have been the cause of the tumors disappearance and death. From this moment on, Nayeli was known as “the walking miracle.”
Despite this extraordinary outcome, Nayeli's journey was far from over. Doctors advised her to continue several rounds of preventive immunotherapy. However, a new challenge emerged: she lost her insurance coverage, leaving her without the financial means to continue her essential treatment.
After some time of searching for financial assistance, a social worker recommended Grace Medical Home and Nayeli became a patient soon after. Through Grace’s community partnerships, Nayeli was able to receive preventative cancer treatment at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. At Grace, Nayeli’s provider became Michelle Cash, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, who ensured everything was flowing smoothly for her treatments, lab work and exams. Michelle’s care supports Nayeli’s comprehensive wellness, referring her to the necessary departments whether that be inside of Grace or with community partners.
Michelle’s support didn’t end with Nayeli’s cancer. To this day, Michelle continues to care for and provide Nayeli with needed medication to rebuild her thyroid which was disrupted due to 15 months of immunotherapy. The ongoing comprehensive care highlights what Grace Medical Home is all about- providing resources and dedication to those in need of whole person care. “Michelle is always kind and very concerned about everything,” Nayeli shared. “She tries to make every appointment at the right time, she organizes everything basically.”
Nayeli continues receiving care at Grace, utilizing dental services, prayer, and help from the Grace team, no matter what it may be. Nayeli would like to inspire other patients going through a difficult time by encouraging them to trust God and know that He died for us so that we can live for Him and start a life with Him. “Never lose hope,” said Nayeli.
